You know that feeling when you're watching an awards show and you just know a certain artist is going to get snubbed again? That was the collective anxiety of the Beyhive heading into the 67th Annual Grammy Awards. But 2025 was different. If you’re looking to find out who won the 2025 Grammys, the headline isn't just a list of names—it’s about a massive, long-overdue "finally" moment for Beyoncé and a historic sweep by Kendrick Lamar.
The ceremony, held on February 2 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, felt less like a stuffy industry gala and more like a high-stakes victory lap. Trevor Noah was back as host, bringing his usual charm, but the real electricity was in the air because the nominations were stacked with heavy hitters like Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, and the summer's breakout "it-girls," Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan.
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The Big Four: Who Won the 2025 Grammys' Top Honors?
Honestly, the "General Field" categories are where the most drama usually lives. This year, the Recording Academy seemed to prioritize cultural impact over everything else.
Album of the Year went to Beyoncé for Cowboy Carter. This was huge. Like, "stop the presses" huge. Despite having more Grammys than any human in history, she had never won the night's biggest trophy. By taking this home, she became the first Black woman to win Album of the Year since Lauryn Hill did it back in 1999. It wasn't just a win for her; it felt like the Academy finally acknowledging her work in a way they’ve failed to do for a decade.
Then there’s Kendrick Lamar. If you spent any part of last year on the internet, you couldn't escape "Not Like Us." The track was everywhere. It wasn't just a "diss track"; it became a cultural anthem. Kendrick walked away with both Record of the Year and Song of the Year. He’s only the second rap artist ever to do the double-win in these categories, following Childish Gambino’s 2019 run.
And of course, we have to talk about the "Midwest Princess." Best New Artist went to Chappell Roan. It’s wild to think about how fast her ascent was. One minute she's playing small clubs, the next she's accepted the Grammy while the entire room is basically wearing pink pony hats. She beat out some massive competition, including Sabrina Carpenter and Teddy Swims, which tells you everything about the year she had.
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A Breakdown of the Major Wins
To make it easier to digest, here’s how the top of the leaderboard looked:
- Album of the Year: Cowboy Carter — Beyoncé
- Record of the Year: "Not Like Us" — Kendrick Lamar
- Song of the Year: "Not Like Us" — Kendrick Lamar (Songwriter: Kendrick Lamar)
- Best New Artist: Chappell Roan
- Best Pop Vocal Album: Short n' Sweet — Sabrina Carpenter
- Best Pop Solo Performance: "Espresso" — Sabrina Carpenter
Kendrick Lamar’s Historic Night
While Beyoncé got the "legacy" win, Kendrick Lamar was arguably the night’s most dominant force. He didn't just win; he swept. Every single category he was nominated in, he won. That’s five for five.
Aside from the Big Two (Record and Song of the Year), he dominated the Rap field. He took home Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song for "Not Like Us." It’s rare to see a song that was born out of a specific feud resonate so deeply with the Academy, but the technical skill and the sheer "un-ignorable" nature of the track made it a lock.
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The Pop Powerhouse: Sabrina and Chappell
If 2024 was the year of "Brat Summer" and "Short n' Sweet," the 2025 Grammys were the official coronation. Sabrina Carpenter finally got her flowers. After years in the industry, her transition to a global superstar was cemented with a win for Best Pop Vocal Album for Short n' Sweet. She also took home Best Pop Solo Performance for "Espresso," which, let’s be real, we’re all still humming.
Charli xcx didn't go home empty-handed either. The BRAT era was rewarded with Best Dance/Electronic Album, and her high-energy single "Von dutch" won Best Dance Pop Recording. It felt like a win for the "chronically online" crowd who turned her lime-green aesthetic into a personality trait last year.
Surprises and Genre Shakeups
One of the coolest parts of the 2025 Grammys was seeing veteran legends share the stage with the new guard. The Beatles—yes, The Beatles—won Best Rock Performance for "Now and Then." It’s kind of mind-bending to see a band that changed the world in the 60s winning a Grammy in 2025 using AI-assisted technology to recover John Lennon’s voice.
In the Country world, Beyoncé made history again. She won Best Country Album for Cowboy Carter, making her the first Black artist to ever win that specific category. She also shared Best Country Duo/Group Performance with Miley Cyrus for "II MOST WANTED." It was a massive statement in a genre that has historically struggled with inclusivity.
Other Notable Winners You Should Know:
- Best Rap Album: Alligator Bites Never Heal — Doechii (She’s only the third woman to ever win this!)
- Best Rock Album: Hackney Diamonds — The Rolling Stones
- Best Alternative Music Album: All Born Screaming — St. Vincent
- Best R&B Song: "Saturn" — SZA
- Best Pop Duo/Group Performance: "Die With a Smile" — Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars
The Performance Highlights
The show wasn't just about the trophies. Chappell Roan’s performance of "Pink Pony Club" was a theatrical masterpiece, and Sabrina Carpenter’s medley of "Espresso" and "Please Please Please" proved she’s a seasoned pro.
But the real shocker? The Weeknd. After years of boycotting the Grammys and calling them "corrupt," he actually showed up. He performed a surprise set with Playboi Carti, debuting new music that had the internet melting down in real-time. It seems like the bridge might finally be mended between Abel and the Recording Academy.
Why This Year Felt Different
For a long time, the Grammys have been criticized for being out of touch. They’d often pick the safest, most commercial option rather than the most culturally significant one. But looking at who won the 2025 Grammys, there’s a sense that the voters are actually listening.
Giving Album of the Year to Beyoncé wasn't just a "make-up" award; Cowboy Carter was a genuine masterclass in genre-bending. Acknowledging Kendrick's "Not Like Us" showed they aren't afraid of a little controversy if the quality is there. And elevating artists like Doechii and Chappell Roan shows they’re looking toward the future of music, not just clinging to the past.
If you’re a fan of any of these artists, the best way to support them isn’t just by watching the clips on TikTok. Go buy the physical vinyl of Cowboy Carter or Brat—those sales are what actually help keep these artists funded for their next projects. If you haven't checked out Doechii's Alligator Bites Never Heal yet, do yourself a favor and put it on shuffle tonight; there's a reason she beat out the "big names" in the rap category.
Keep an eye on the upcoming tour dates for these winners, too. Now that they've got the "Grammy-winning" title attached to their names, ticket prices are probably going to jump, so if you see a presale code, grab it fast.